Why Sports Fandom is Good for Your Health

Most people watch sports on TV, but there is also a huge population of people who go to live sporting events regularly, The Ticket Merchant notes. Those huge sports fans have been a topic of several psychological studies. Many of them already revealed that being a sports fan could make someone happier, as there is a surge of dopamine – also known as a happy hormone – whenever people watch sports. But apart from its psychological benefits, being a sports fan has mental and physical benefits too.

1. It Increases Your Heart and Breathing Rate

A study revealed that when people watch a sport event live or on TV, their heart and breathing rate increases, similar to what happens during a workout. The sympathetic nervous system activity, which rises during actual exercise, also increases slightly when a person watches a sport event.

2. It Encourages You to Lose Weight

Watching sports could inspire you to lose weight. Some sports fans idolise famous players to the extent that they exercise, lose weight, and train to be as good as their idols. In one study, people who participated in a 12-week training for football fans lost an average of 12 pounds.

3. It Keeps Your Mind Sharper

Researchers say that avid sports fans often analyse the game extensively and treat it like a puzzle. Watching games also activates the mirror neurons in the brain. These neurons help the sports fans understand the actions of the players, which encourage them to think of what to do next as if they were the ones playing the game.

So, if you’re a huge sports fan now, keep your fandom. Don’t ever believe if someone says that your excessive fandom brings nothing to your life, because being an avid sports fan does not only make you happier, but it also makes you healthier.